What’s happening: In 2024 the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued final rule on nondiscrimination on the basis of disabilities affecting providers participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other HHS-funded programs. Its provisions became effective on July 8, 2026.

• The rule specifies that providers that use exam tables and weight have in place at least one accessible exam table and one accessible weight scale.

Additional background: HHS adopted the US Access Board’s Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE) as part of its broader efforts to ensure health care accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The standards specify what is required for medical equipment to be accessible.

• HHS issued these new requirements because people with disabilities continue to face barriers in getting medical care due to inaccessible medical equipment. Barriers include exam tables or chairs with heights that cannot be adjusted and weight scales that do not allow the use of wheelchairs.

What this means for nursing homes, assisted living communities, and ID/DD facilities: If the facility is a recipient (is participating in Medicare, Medicaid, and other HHS-funded programs), by July 8, 2026, the facility is required to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire the following, unless the recipient already has them in place:

1. At least one examination table that meets the Standards for Accessible MDE, if the recipient uses at least one examination table; and  
2. At least one weight scale that meets the Standards for Accessible MDE, if the recipient uses at least one weight scale.

Recipients are also expected to do the following: 

• maintain accessible MDE for patient use; 
• ensure staff are trained to operate accessible equipment; 
• assist patients with transfers and positioning when necessary; and 
• provide accessible healthcare services in a manner that affords equal access to individuals with disabilities. 

For more information, see this HHS fact sheet New Requirements for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment 

• AHCA/NCAL will provide additional guidance as it becomes available. Please send questions to regulatory@ahca.org.